The Best Small Colleges

The Best Small Colleges in America for 2024

These are the top ranked small, public and private, four-year colleges in the United States as ranked by CollegeSimply. These schools all have undergraduate enrollment under 3,000. Small colleges allow students a more intimate and personalized experience where it's more likely you will get to know your professors. Leading the list for 2024 is California Institute of Technology. Learn how the Best Small Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
small Public Private 4 year

414 results nationwide

South Carolina State University
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S
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,649enrollment
  • $17,435net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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Saint Augustines College
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HBCU
Raleigh, NC

Saint Augustines College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,108enrollment
  • $20,081net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 780-940SAT range
  • 12-16ACT range
  • 2.5Avg GPA

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Kentucky State University
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K
HBCU
Frankfort, KY

Kentucky State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 1,726enrollment
  • $11,473net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 783-978SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA

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Fort Valley State University
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F
HBCU
Fort Valley, GA

Fort Valley State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 2,605enrollment
  • $13,016net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 810-950SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 2.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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Virginia Union University
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V
HBCU
Richmond, VA

Virginia Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,860enrollment
  • $21,057net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 813-990SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.71Avg GPA

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Benedict College
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B
HBCU
Columbia, SC
 

Benedict College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,840enrollment
  • $17,845net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 820-1020SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Savannah State University
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S
HBCU
Savannah, GA

Savannah State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 2,945enrollment
  • $9,452net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 845-980SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 2.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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Becker College
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B
Worcester, MA

Becker College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#35 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,675enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 960-1180SAT range
  • 20-31ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA

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Southwest Baptist University
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S
Bolivar, MO
 

Southwest Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 2,386enrollment
  • $18,926net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 928-1148SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Concordia College New York
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C
Bronxville, NY

Concordia College New York

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#58 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,129enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA

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Nyack College
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N
Nyack, NY

Nyack College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#59 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,595enrollment
  • $22,184net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 848-1093SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 2.76Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 31

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Roberts Wesleyan College
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R
Rochester, NY
 

Roberts Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#60 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,573enrollment
  • $23,341net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 25

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Wright State University Lake Campus
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W
Celina, OH
 

Wright State University Lake Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 1,294enrollment
  • $11,585net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 790-890SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 26

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Lock Haven University
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L
Lock Haven, PA

Lock Haven University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 2,920enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

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Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
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Mansfield, PA

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,796enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

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University of the Sciences
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T
Philadelphia, PA

University of the Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#60 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,420enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1340SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.63Estimated Avg GPA

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Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio
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O
San Antonio, TX

Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,326enrollment
  • $19,100net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 890-1070SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

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Mary Baldwin College
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M
Staunton, VA

Mary Baldwin College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,957enrollment
  • $18,746net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 940-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

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